What's Stifling You?

 Hello!  ¡Hola!  My wife and I are on Spring Break, visiting our Moms, and got to bring our 2 year old grandson with us.  It's been a blessed time, but my wife and I are exhausted at the end of the day after keeping up with our grandson.  LOL!

I recently purchased the Elizabeth Craft Designs Big Mouse die set, because it reminds me of Topo Gigio, who I used to love as a child.  Elizabeth #Marchprompt26 Challenge is "Textile Takeover," so I dressed him up with a burlap hat, a fabric vest, and a felt flower.  I stabilized the textiles by gluing them onto cardstock.  I was inspired by the CAS On Friday's Challenge #329 Sketch, so I used an old Simon Says Stamp die for the circular shape and used a marker to letter an Easter sentiment.  I was also inspired by Simply Clean Challenge - Baby Animals, Addicted to CAS #303 - Gardens, and Creative Artiste's #124th Challenge.

My card was also inspired by the "flowering of the cross."  On Easter Sunday, children and adults bring fresh cut flowers to transform a barren cross, which represents Jesus' crucifixion, into a vibrant symbol of new life and hope through the resurrection.  The act of placing flowers on the cross signifies moving from the somber reflection of Good Friday to the joyous celebration of Easter Sunday.  It visually represents the victory of life over death, emphasizing that Christ has risen.  This is a picture of last year's cross at St. James, which I enhanced by using Word Art Wednesday's Weeks #742-743 text art.  I am also submitting it to Path of Positivity Challenge #139.  (BTW, Thank you, POP Challenge #138, for selecting me as a top pick!)

For my last project, I have an icon I did in my mini travel art journal, inspired by the appointed Gospel reading for the upcoming 4th Sunday in Lent.  The Bible verse is from the story about Jesus healing the man born blind.  I always travel with art supplies, so I used markers and fine line pens I had with me.  I am submitting it to What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 875/95 and Friday Face Off 03/13/2025.

In closing, I want to leave you with a summary of the sermon I'm working on for this week, based on John 9:1-41:

The blindness that Jesus is speaking about is not about the quality of our vision or the condition of our eyes.  It is not about the darkness around us either.  Instead, it is about the darkness within us.  We do not see God, people, or circumstances as they are, but as we are.  Until our eyes are opened by Christ, our seeing is really just a projection of ourselves onto the world.  We need to let go of things, people, and ideologies that stifle us.  That’s what the Bible calls idols.  Therefore, don’t just look around, but within you.  Identify, name, and acknowledge what's stifling you, and then go wash.  The mud of darkness always gives way to the light of Christ.

Thanks for visiting!  ¡Gracias por visitarme!  Shalom!

Arnoldo+